Emancipation was proclaimed in Tallahassee, FL on May 20, 1865, 11 days after the end of the Civil War, and two years after the Proclamation was first issued by President Abraham Lincoln to free those enslaved in Southern states.
Jacksonville’s Emancipation Celebration 2021 will feature African-American food trucks and vendors, live performances by The Katz Downstairz, Mama Blue, K.UTIE, a Community Art Project and a historical display and so many more!Local historical organizations will lend their expertise to weave educational stories throughout the performances and activities.
Day/Date: May 20, 2021
Time: 11am – 8pm
Location: James Weldon Johnson Park
Event is FREE to the public
All day activities & Events: African Village Vendors, Food Trucks , Activities for Kids, Community Art Project by 6 Ft Away Gallery , Historical Displays
Featured Performances by: The Katz Downstairz, Mama Blue, K.UTIE, Nan Nkama Afro-Caribbean Dance and Drums
Poetry by: Love Reigns, Mal Jones
A reading of the Emancipation Proclamation by Honorable Rhonda Peoples-Waters
Host: Rahman Johnson
Our mission is to educate all Floridians about May 20th’s Historical significance, through an entertaining day with music, dancing, art and more. While many people celebrate Juneteenth, Florida’s specific history with the Emancipation is relatively unknown. This will be the first annual festival. Emancipation Celebration Day was brought to by Councilwoman JuCoby Pittman, City of Jacksonville/Special Events office and Friends of James Weldon Johnson Park and supported by Mayor Lenny Curry and City Council.